Oscillating backrest



R. M. BOYCE OSCILLA'IING BACKREST Feb. 6, 1923.

Filed Apr. 10, 1922 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY '1 jL Patented a i in r can ROY Ill. BDYCE, OF STOCKTON,CALIFORNIA.

OSOILLATING BACIIREST.

Application filed April 10,

1 "0 cilia/ 1 0722 it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Roy M. Boron, a citizen of the United States,residing at Stockton, county of San Joaquiiutitate of (.aliiornia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Oscillating Backrests;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accomz panyingdrawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which forma part of this application.

This invention relates to a back-rest for the drivers of automobiles andother vehicles whose motion produces a more or less constant vibratoryand jarring effect on the driver, especially on his back, which sooneror later induces severe strain and fatigue, the ordinary cushionsprovided in automobiles and the like not being sufiiciently resilient toabsorb the vibrations.

The principal object of my invention therefore is to eliminate thisobjectionable feature of automobile driving by providing a detachableback-rest which is interposed between the back-cushion and the back ofthe driver, and against which the latter rests, which back-rest is soconstructed that it forms an oscillatory cushion between the seat-backand the driver, allowing for relative movement between the seat and theback of the person, without his back actually sliding against orcontacting with the seat-back.

By means of this device therefore, all tiring vibrations and jarringeffects are counteracted and absorbed, to the ease and comfort of theuser.

It is evident of course that the use of my device is not confined to thedriver of the car, since individual back-rests may he provided for allthe occupants.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensivedevice and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purposesfor which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective outline of an auto- 1a22. Serial No. 551,020.

mobile seat, showing my improved device installed in connectiontherewith.

Fig. 2 is a face view, with the outer cover entirely removed and withone of the oscillating plates partly removed.

F 3 is an enlarged vertical section of half of the device;

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, the numeral 1 denotes a somewhat flexible plate, preferably ofmetal and of suitable din'iensions, spaced somewhat from which is asimilar plate 2 of equal size and preferably of the same material.

Secured onto the plate 2 at spaced intervals and located between the twoplates are ball bearing units 3 of the thrust type, on which the otherplate 1 rests, so that the plates are free for universal slidingmovement one on the other with a minimum of friction.

The plates are normally held in edgealined relation, and automaticallyreturned to such position after any sliding movement by means of a stoutelastic band or strap at, which extends substantially from end to end ofthe plates in a vertical direction. This band is somewhat flexiblysecured at both ends to the plate 2 on the face thereof adjacent theplate 1 as at 5, and then passes through slots 6 cut in the plate 1, sothat the central portion of the band lies on the outer face of the plate1, to which plate it is rigidly secured, preferably at one centrallylocated point as at 7.

Thus it will be seen that if the plates should move vertically withrespect to each other, one section or the other of the band, between theconnection 7 and either connection 5, will be stretched, automaticallyeX- crting a tendency to restore the plates to their normal setting.

Similarly if the plates move transversely with respect to each other,the band will be stretched sideways, again exerting a tendency torestore the plates to their normal setting.

The outer face of the plate 2 has fixed thereto a covering 8 of leatheror similar material, which extends a certain distance beyond the edgesof said plate all around the same, a filling of padding 9 beingpreferably placed between said covering and plate.

The plate 1 has fixed thereto a covering member 10 of the same materialand size as the cover 8, there being padding 11 between the plate 1 andcover 10, this padding being preferably thicker than the padding 9 andarranged to conform to the curvature of the human back, since this isthe side or :tace of the device which receives the back thereagainst.

The outer edges of the coverings are sewed or otherwise secured to eachother through out their extent, the space between the edges of theplates and the corresponding edges of the covers being suflicient toallow for the necessary freedonrof oscillatory movement oi. the plateswithout striking said edges and thereby straining and perhaps tearingthe covers.

To detachably fasten the device to the seat-back 12 of an antomobile, Ipreferably provide straps 13 fixed to the upper edges ot the covers,which are adapted to engage carriage buttons 14 or similar members fixedonto the back 12. a

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I haveproduced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of theinvention as set forth herein.

1 I claim as new and useful and desire to se cure by Letters Patent, is2- 1. A back-rest including apair of super imposed plate membersarranged for universal oscillatory movement with respect to each other,and an elastic strap e1-1tending lengthwise of the plates secured at itsends to one plate and intermediate its ends to the otherplate.

2. A back rest including a pair oi superimposed plate members arrangedfor universal. oscillatory movement with respect to each other, anelastic strap extending lengthwise of the plates secured at its ends toone plate and centrally of its length to the other plate, and flexiblyengaging said last named plate between the central connection and eachend.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROY M; BOYCE.

